“Let me ask you this one question: Did you receive the Holy Spirit by obeying the law of Moses? Of course not! You received the Spirit because you believed the message you heard about Christ. How foolish can you be? After starting your new lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort?”
Galatians 3:2-3 NLT

What is it with us? Why are we so willing to substitute ourselves in for the Holy Spirit? Something often happens sometime after we receive this new life in Christ.

We receive his gift. God is at work in our lives. Miracles are happening. We see changes growing in our lives that we could never have accomplished on our own.

Then, we decide to make a substitution. Our own human effort replaces the Living Son of God. We substitute grace for rules and regulations. We exchange unconditional love for pre-conditional acceptance. We are no longer focused on the freedom we have in Christ. We shift to the failures and shortcomings created by not being able to consistently conform to and follow the structure and obligations that we struggle to enforce.

This is always a poor substitution. It never turns out well. At best, it may look moral and responsible. At worst, it is a complete collapse of all Christ has done for us.

Paul is genuinely concerned as he writes of this concern to the Galatians:

“Oh, foolish Galatians! Who has cast an evil spell on you?”

For the meaning of Jesus Christ’s death was made as clear to you as if you had seen a picture of his death on the cross. I ask you again, does God give you the Holy Spirit and work miracles among you because you obey the law? Of course not! It is because you believe the message you heard about Christ.” Galatians 3:1, 5 NLT.

Encouragement

Paul might as well be writing to us today. We are prone to substituting Christ with our own efforts, even after following him for a while.

Here are a few examples for your consideration:

• Taking credit for what God is doing, as if it were our accomplishment.
• Acting as owners of our stuff rather than stewards of all God has entrusted to us.
• Prayer becomes an obligatory afterthought rather than seeking God’s presence and help in all that we do.
• People need to be more like us before they can have fellowship with us.
• The making and keeping of the law replace a life marked by love, forgiveness, and grace.

Paul is reminding us of the beautiful freedom we have in Christ. This freedom is for everyone who will believe and receive it. Life with the Holy Spirit is transformational and beneficial in the best of ways!

Please ask the Holy Spirit to help you with the answers to these questions:

• Have you substituted your effort for the work of Christ in your life?
• Is there anything the Holy Spirit is convicting you to repent of?
• Will you surrender yourself to Christ and let the Holy Spirit lead you into a fullness of freedom meant to be enjoyed by all?

Prayer
Dear Jesus,
Thank you for Paul’s reminder of the tendency we have to replace you with ourselves.

Please forgive us when we make this mistake.

Please help us to stay focused on you and your life-changing work for all who believe in you as the Living Son of God.

Holy Spirit, we surrender. We submit ourselves to God. Lead us into all the freedom God offers us.

In your name, Jesus, we pray,

Amen

– Ed McDowell, C.E.O.
Warm Beach Camp Ministries